We have heard exciting news! There will be more later, as the Church is moving forward in the Peninsula with new organization to better serve the members. Here are two assignments of people we know will be great leaders!

The First Presidency has announced changes in the Church's area leadership assignments effective Aug. 1. The pictures of Daniel L. Johnson, Mexico Area President, 1st Counselor Benjamin De Hoyos and 2nd Counselor Octaviano Tenorio were published in the Church News on May 2, 2009. http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/57234/Area-leadership-changes-announced.

He was the president of the Ecuador Guayaquil North Mission of the church from 1991 to 1994. In April 2006, Johnson became a member of the LDS Church's First Quorum of the Seventy. As of the summer of 2008, Johnson has been serving as president of the Caribbean Area of the church. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_L._Johnson
Sister Verlinden had told us (very quietly) that there would be a change coming in the Area Presidency. She is looking forward to seeing Elder Johnson again. Pres. Dyer also told us that Elder Mickleson will be released in August, becoming an Emeritus Authority, and that Daniel Johnson will be the new Area Presidency, so it is now official.

LaNon Turley was the first to send word of the change of the Colonia Juarez Temple presidency.

Raquel and Robert J. Whetten

Robert Jay Whetten, 66, Mesa Ward, El Paso Texas Mount Franklin Stake, called as president of the Colonia Juarez Chihuahua Mexico Temple, succeeding President John B. Robinson. President Whetten's wife, Raquel Lopez Whetten, will serve as temple matron.

President Whetten serves as a sealer in the Ciudad Juarez Mexico Temple and as a gospel doctrine teacher, and previously served in the Second Quorum of the Seventy, as well as president of the Paraguay Asuncion Mission, stake president's counselor, high councilor and bishop. A consultant for a large holding company, and retired president of Norwest Bank of El Paso, he was born in Chuichupa, Chihuahua, Mexico, to Glen A. and Ada May Judd Whetten. Sister Whetten serves as a temple worker in the Ciudad Juarez Mexico Temple, and previously served with her husband as he presided over the Paraguay Asuncion Mission, as well as a ward Relief Society president and counselor, ward Primary president and a counselor in a ward Young Women presidency. She was born in Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico, to Bernardo and Maria Rebeca Tiznado Lopez. http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/57367/New-temple-presidents.html

We are glad that they are able to return home for this assignment. The Colonies have benefited for a number of years from the restoration of the Refugio Hacienda which the Whetten family has made available for receptions, reunions and ward activities.